The appointment of Darryl Suasua as head coach of the Counties Manukau Steelers ensures continuity, via an experienced operator who knows the region and the players, with the successful Tana Umaga tenure.
Fresh from helping the Bombay club to a second McNamara Cup title in a row and following roleswith the union's Roller Mills and sevens sides plus as assistant coach of the Steelers in 2005, the 50-year-old has signed a two-year deal including a role as director of rugby, overseeing high performance programmes.
His coaching staff and management have yet to be appointed.
Suasua, who coached the Black Ferns to the 1998 and 2002 RWC crowns, has had to resign from his NZ Rugby resource coaching role.
One of the challenges of ITM Cup rugby is melding the cream of club talent with Super Rugby players. The Steelers did that well this year, though they missed the semifinals. Jordan Taufua - the team's player of the year - added huge value returning from the Crusaders, as did Pauliasi Manu returning from the Chiefs. Form club men such as halfback Richard Judd and wing Sione Fifita upped their game at the next level.
Of course, the key is retaining talent and, in the case of Counties Manukau, coaxing back players who started at the union and are now scattered to the four winds. Suasua says a good core of this year's squad are contracted for next year and beyond, so he should have a good base to work off, not to mention seeing in the next crop after the Under-19s won the Championship division of the national tournament.
"The guys have done really well. They lost a number of players [such as Tim Nanai-Williams] due to the RWC cycle. They had a rough start, but you saw them grow in confidence as the season went on. I'm encouraged by the way they've performed," said Suasua.
He worked closely at club level with first-five Piers Francis and centre Sam Vaka and was pleased with their progress, so much so with the former that he is on the verge of Super Rugby.
"Tana and his staff have built up club rugby well and that's made for a good competition. When that's strong, you get a better rep team."
• North Harbour's Steve Jackson has indicated he is keen to continue for the 2016 ITM Cup, while applications for the Auckland head coach position, with Paul Feeney heading to the Blues, close on October 30.
